Life has a way of keeping us consumed by responsibilities, chaos, and daily pressures. The constant desire to achieve things, blindly following trends, sweeps us away from the things that truly matter. We unconsciously overwhelm ourselves with heavy situations, leaving no room for rest, or healing. The pace of life pushes us to neglect our spirit in this big world. We forget that every day, even a normal day, is a blessing. Every morning must not be taken for granted, and it must be filled with gratitude and appreciation. Each day is an opportunity to open a new remarkable chapter in our lives.
For us, as Muslims, we embrace this opportunity by celebrating Ramadan, a spiritual month for renewing faith and reconnecting us again with our spirituality, souls, and surroundings.
The Islamic (Hijri) calendar follows the movements of the moon, making it a lunar calendar. That means that the placement of each month will differ from year to year. It has 12 months. Each lunar cycle usually lasts 29-30 days. This is determined by observing the moon; if the new crescent moon is spotted on the 29th day, then the new month begins on the next day. If the crescent is not spotted, then the new month starts after the 30th day.
The moon’s phases, particularly the full moon, encourage us to reflect on time, growth, and the cycle of life. The moon, much like our lives, goes through stages. These stages emphasize a fresh start each month, and each day. With every change of the moon, there is a possible change within our lives. Nothing remains the same and each change promises a better reality.
We pray for hope, for a new beginning. We pray for gentle hearts, for healing. We pray for strength and courage to take new steps and adventures. We pray for peace and spirituality.
We pray to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We pray for the freedom of minds. And we pray for the freedom of Palestinians, people in Gaza, and all people who are struggling around the world.
